Chapter 13

Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning

Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff

Introduction to Fire Protection3rd Edition



Chapter 13

Emergency Incident Management



Objectives

• Explain the need for a plan at every incident• Differentiate between offensive, defensive, and

transition modes of attack• Explain the need for organized thought

processes in incident assessment• Describe the strategic priorities at an incident• Explain the terms strategy, tactics, and tasks



Objectives (con’t.)

• Explain the need for size-up of an incident• Explain how a size-up is performed and what

information must be communicated• Describe the NIIMS Incident Command System• Explain the need for unified command on a

multijurisdictional incident



Introduction

• Every firefighter at a scene is responsible for assisting in the control of the incident– Size-up the incident

– Apply strategic priorities in proper order

– Assist person in command

• Incident command system aids in effective management– Presents structures that are adaptable to all

types of incidents



Management Responsibility

• First-in officer initiates the plan• All firefighters at scene must:

– Remain alert

– Be aware of the plan and the hazards present

• Standard rule– “Victims do not arrive at the scene in fire trucks”



Incident Planning

• Every incident must have a plan• Establish objectives first• Determine strategies to accomplish objectives• Plans must be flexible to address changes in

the incident as it progresses



Incident Planning (con’t.)

• Operational modes– Offensive

• Aggressive, direct attack

– Defensive• Protecting exposures, indirect attack

– Transition• Using different modes on areas of incident• Coordinate to avoid conflicting tactics• Requires clear communication



Strategic Priorities

• Seven areas– Rescue

– Exposures

– Confinement

– Extinguishment

– Overhaul

– Salvage

– VentilationNOT NECESSARILY PERFORMED IN THIS ORDER



Strategic Priorities (con’t.)

• Rescue– This is first strategic priority

– May have to be delayed while hose lines are placed between victims and fire

– Primary, secondary searches

• Exposures– Prevent fire from spreading to adjoining

structures or improvements



Strategic Priorities (con’t.)

• Confinement– Attack from unburned toward burned

– Cut off spread of fire

• Extinguishment– Putting fire out or stopping leak of hazardous

materials

• Overhaul– Search for hidden fire

– Make sure all fire is out



Strategic Priorities (con’t.)• Salvage

– Save contents of building from additional damage

– May be concurrent with other operations

• Ventilation– May have to happen before any of the other

priorities are attempted

– Can be performed at any time during operation

– Reduces risk of flashover/backdraft while increasing visibility and reducing heat



Tactics

• Methods to accomplish objectives– Interior search

– Laying supply lines

– Advancing hose lines to seat of fire

– Cutting holes in roof to release smoke and heat

– Spreading salvage covers



Tasks

• Jobs completed in a specified amount of time– Don SCBA

– Advance hose lines

– Raise (throw) ladders

– Cut holes

– Operate equipment



Size-Up

• Ongoing mental process that results in a plan• Components

– Facts

– Probabilities

– Situation

– Decision

– Plan of operation



Size-Up (con’t.)

• Continues as operations are carried out because situations change

• Always critique incidents afterward– Look for what went right

– Look for what went wrong

– Don’t make the same mistakes twice



Unit 6 10

SIZE UP

Must be done quickly and accurately

Try to get an overall picture

DONE AT ALL INCIDENTS


Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff SIZE-UP



Unit 6 14

C =CONSTRUCTION

WHAT’S THE BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTION TYPE?

INCLUDE THIS INFORMATION IN YOUR RADIO SIZE-UP…



Unit 6 15

O = O C C U P A N C Y

W H A T ’S T H E B U I L DI N G U S E D F O R ? W H A T M I G H T E X I S T I N S I DE ? DE T E R M I N E T H E N E E D F O R H A Z -M A T O R DE C O N T A M IN A T I O N T E A M S …



Unit 6 16

A= APPARATUS

WHAT APPARATUS HAVE RESPONDED? WILL YOU HAVE ADEQUATE RESOURCES?

Call for additional resources early to prevent delays.



Unit 6 17

L = LIFE HAZARD

ARE THERE SIGNS PEOPLE ARE TRAPPED IN THE BUILDING?

LOOK FOR INDICTORS, SUCH AS CARS IN THE DRIVEWAY …



Unit 6 18

W= WATER SUPPLY

CONSIDER HYDRANT PLACEMENT.

HOW WILL YOU GET WATER? LOCATE A HYDRANT ON YOUR WAY TO THE SCENE…



Unit 6 19

A = AUXILIARY APPLIANCES

WHAT AUXILIARY APPLIANCES EXIST (SPRINKLERS, STANDPIPES, ETC.)

Assign crews to monitor or supplement.

© C opyrig ht 1996 G a lactic S oftw a re . A ll R igh ts R eserved .



Unit 6 20

s = STRUCTURAL CONDITION

WHAT’S THE BUILDING CONDIITON AND COLLAPSE POTENTIAL?

RENOVATION, DAMAGE OR CONSTRUCTION INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF COLLAPSE…



Unit 6 21

W = WEATHER

HOW HOT OR COLD IS IT? WILL YOU REQUIRE ADDITIONAL RELIEF? WILL WEATHER DELAY ADDITIONAL UNITS?

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO REHAB IN EXTREME WEATHER…



Unit 6 22

E = EXPOSURE

WHAT EXISTS ON EACH SIDE OF THE BUILDING?ARE BUILDINGS CONNECTED? HAS THE FIRE EXTENDED INTO EXPOSURES?

© C o pyr igh t 1 996 G a lac tic S o f tw a re . A ll R ig h ts R es e rve d .



Unit 6 23

A = AREA

DETERMINE THE AREA BY MULTIPLYING LENGTH TIMES WIDTH.

Will you need longer hose lines to reach the fire or more personnel to conduct a thorough search…

© C opyrigh t 1996 G alac tic Software. A ll R ights Reserved.

W ind



Unit 6 24

L = LOCATION

LOCATE THE FIRE.

ANT ICIPATE WHERE IT MAY TRAVEL AND ALERT COMMAND.



U n it 6 2 5

T = T I M E O F D A Y

I S I T D A Y T I M E O R E V E N I N G ? A R E P E O P L E H O M E O R A T W O R K ? D O Y O U H A V E A D E Q U A T E L I G H T I N G F O R N I G H T ?



Unit 6 26

H = HEIGHT

WILL YOUR LADDERS REACH?

DETERMINE THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT…


Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert KlinoffCOAL WAS WEALTH…

• Construction Weather

• Occupancy Exposure

• Apparatus A rea

• L ife hazard Location

T ime of day

• Water supply Height

• Auxiliary appliances

• Structural condition



Vegetation Fire Size-Up / Report of Conditions

• Correct location – may need to direct units in• Size – best estimate in acres (currently)• Fuel type – light fuels ( grass) heavy fuels

( brush/timber)• Slope and aspect – affects rate of spread,

points of compass (south-lighter drier fuels , north heavier fuels)

• Rate of spread – slow, moderate, or rapid



Vegetation Fire Size-Up / Report of Conditions (con’t.)

• Exposures in path – number and type• Weather conditions - wind• Potential of the fire – quick work , long haul• Additional resources needed – best estimate• Objectives – clearly stated plan



Structure Fire Size-Up / Report of Conditions

• Correct location• Height/stories – height of structure , floor fire is

on• Size and type of structure• Location and area involved• Level of involvement – is fire/smoke showing?



Structure Fire Size-Up / Report of Conditions (con’t.)

• Exposures – number , type• Potential of fire• Additional resources needed – number and type• Objectives – state priorities• Obtain an “all clear”



Incident Command System

• National Incident Management System (NIMS)– Created under HSPD-5 (Management of

Domestic Incidents)

– Compliance of all federal agencies and departments

– To prepare for, prevent, respond to and recover from domestic incidents

– www.fema.gov/nims/.



Incident Command System (con’t.)

• National Incident Management System (NIMS) (con’t.)– Five components

• Incident Command System (ICS)• Preparedness• Communications and Information Management• Joint Information Systems (JIS)• NIMS Integration Center (NIC)




• National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS)– Provides a common system for federal, state,

and local levels

– Has two components

• National Interagency Fire Qualification System (NIFQS) (1st component)– Qualification, training, and certification of

personnel, currently focused on wildland and wildland/urban interface fire protection problems




• ICS ( 2nd component)– System based on “Principles of Command” (see

Chapter 7) – Basic organizational structure for all types of

emergencies

– Large or small incidents

– Simple or complex in nature



• Common terminology– For organizational functions, resource elements,

and facilities

• Modular organization (see Figure 13-1)– Expands and contracts in a logical manner

• Integrated communications– Uses clear text (no codes)

Components of the ICS (8)



Components of the ICS(con’t.)

• Unified command structure– Regardless of jurisdiction or function

• Incident action plans– Unified objectives

– Operational period

• Manageable span of control– 3 to 7 with 5 the optimum



Components of the ICS(cont.)

• Designated Incident Facilities - Incident command post (ICP) – established

at every incident, all should be aware of location

- Staging area – where resources report

- Base – incident support activities take place

- Camp – logistical needs are met i.e. sleeping ,eating



Components of the ICS(con’t.)

• Comprehensive resource management– Single resource ( indiv. app.), task force (combo

of units with single mission), strike team (set number same kind and type)

• Resource status– Assigned: in use at the incident

– Available: able to respond in three minutes or less

– Out-of-service: not ready for immediate deployment; may be in base or camp



Organization

• Five areas of ICS– Command

– Operations

– Plans

– Logistics

– Finance



Organization (con’t.)

• Command – responsible for overall management of the incident– Incident commander and command staff

– Safety officer

– Liaison officer

– Public information officer




• Operations – responsible for direct management of all tactical activities– Operations chief and subordinates

– Staging area manager

– Branch director

– Division: based on geography

– Group: functional in nature, may cross divisional boundaries




• Planning Section – collects , evaluates, and disseminates tactical information– Plans chief and staff

– Resources unit

– Situation unit

– Documentation unit

– Demobilization unit

– Technical specialists




• Logistics – provides all service and support functions– Logistics chief

– Service branch

– Supply branch




• Finance– Finance chief

– Time unit

– Procurement unit

– Compensation/claims unit

– Cost unit

– Incident type sections




• Advantages of ICS– All positions are identified before incident

happens

– Personnel that staff positions are ready to assume positions

– Teams can be brought in from different locations because of standardization

– Adaptable to any type of incident



Summary

• At any incident, ask three questions:– What do you have?– What do you need?– What is your plan?

• Effective management requires a plan– Includes strategies, tactics, and size-up

• Incident command system is a method of placing a plan into operation

Education

Chapter 13